Picture: This Sandown-bred and consigned Soqrat filly was knocked down to Sabine Plattner for R700,000. (BSA)
by Gregg Clarke
One of the take-aways from the outstanding and confidence boosting 2023 BSA National Yearling Sale is the impressive arrival of an “under the radar” freshman sire.
His 5 progeny sold for an average price of R499k (rounded) making him the 3rd highest average seller of the Sires who sold 5 or more and only behind the obvious and predictable chart-toppers Vercingetorix and Gimmethegreenlight.
One of his progeny going for R120k dropped his average selling price down from an eye catching R594k (average of the other 4) to R499k (average of all 5).
Had this not been the case this Sires Final Sales Log Position would have put daylight between him and the rest. This is significant in the analysis.
Another observation and arguably partially why buyers were attracted, is that his progeny looked outstanding having been bought by some leading lights of the industry.
One more factual observation is that he has not received a large books of mares, with around 30 in eac of his first 3 seasons – 31 in 2020 (some progeny on this sale), 32 in 2021 and 29 in 2022.
BSA’s experienced Quality Inspector Alistair Gordon may have contributed to the success when asked ahead of the sales which of the new sires caught his eye and prophetically went on record with “If I had to single one out it would be Soqrat. He has produced some amazing quality, but we all know they still have to prove themselves on the racecourse.”
Hats off to Alistair a man of much wisdom and a keen eye.
SOQRAT is a smashing specimen and was a very good racehorse.
CLICK HERE TO SEE SOQRAT’S PROFILE
Whilst he may possess a pedigree that on the face-of-it doesn’t appear to lend itself well to SA bloodlines, there is certainly a quality about him, as recognised by BSA’s Gordon, that should not be passed by and commands respect from the industry, if the industry is to be fair to itself.
Sandown’s James Armitage is delighted with the success of the Sire at the sale and adds that “he was a very sound and tough-as-nails racehorse both mentally and physically” continues “I have received many a positive feedback from Breeders about the quality of the foals” and signs off with “He is producing progeny with a lovely head and eye and a great hindquarter”.
This Sire has certainly left a “bow wave” in the market who ought to be impressed with the quality, demand and outcomes for his progeny at this sale.
Rob Caskie rounded off proceedings on Day 2 of the Sales with a highly entertaining talk around the 100 Years of Thoroughbred Breeding in SA in which he quoted Churchill with “there is something about the outside of a horse that is very good for the inside of a man”. Never has a more true sentence been verbalised. SOQRAT is a “horse” that puts substance into that famous statement by Sir Winston.
